Thousands of participants enlivened the “Smile to Smile” Fun Run on Sunday (Apr. 19), organized by the Faculty of Dentistry UGM (FKG UGM) at the Pancasila Field, UGM. The running event was part of the faculty’s 78th Anniversary celebration, bringing together students, lecturers, alumni, and the general public in a vibrant and festive atmosphere.
Opening the race, Dean of FKG UGM, Professor Suryono, expressed hope that all participants would take part in the event with joy while maintaining their health throughout the activity.
“This morning, we are holding an event to celebrate the 78th Anniversary of the Faculty of Dentistry UGM. I hope all of you can participate happily, stay healthy, and remain safe,” he said.
The Fun Run featured two race categories, 3K and 5K. For the 3K category, the route covered the UGM campus. Meanwhile, the 5K category looped around the central campus area, then headed toward FKG UGM before returning to the starting point.
Participants were further motivated by the awards offered, including podium finishes for first, second, and third place in both male and female categories, as well as the Best Running Costume award.
Leading the race, Berkat Soroinama Gea, a student of Institut Teknologi Dirgantara Adisutjipto, became the first finisher with a time of around nine minutes in the 3K category. He expressed his feelings about the achievement, especially as it marked his first time securing first place.
“Although it was not my personal best, I am still grateful to have given my best performance. I hope FKG UGM continues to grow, and that this event can be held every year,” he said.
Meanwhile, a 5K participant, Faranida, a student at FKG UGM, shared her enthusiasm for the event. She noted that the activity provided an enjoyable experience while strengthening connections among the academic community.
“It was so much fun, especially since this is my first time joining an internal event. I could meet lecturers and friends, making us closer. The atmosphere was also pleasant and cool, unlike running on public roads with heavy pollution,” she said.
Faranida also mentioned that simple preparation, such as light running before the race day, helped her participate smoothly. She expressed hope that FKG UGM would continue to develop similar activities. According to her, such events are not only beneficial internally but also help the public become more familiar with the faculty through sports.
The event’s organizing chair, Dr. Tjut Intan Permata Sari, explained that the Fun Run is part of FKG’s 78th Anniversary series, which also includes community service programs, symposiums, and alumni gatherings. She noted that this year marked the second time the event had been held, with more participants than the previous year.
“Last year, there were around 500 participants, while this year it has reached approximately 1,000 participants across the 3K and 5K categories,” she explained.
Intan added that the event was intentionally designed to bring together various groups, including alumni, the academic community, and the general public, in a shared moment of togetherness. Moving forward, she hopes that similar Fun Run events can be held regularly and grow into a larger annual agenda.
“We hope this event can continue so that it becomes a permanent part of the FKG UGM anniversary celebration,” she concluded.
Author: Hanifah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: Jesi